Login to BoardEffect H-SC Bylaws
Board of Trustees
Eric E. Apperson '85
President of Armada Hoffler Construction Company, Virginia Beach, VA
Mr. Eric E. Apperson is a 1985 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College where he worked until 1987 as an Assistant Dean of Admissions. He is currently the President of Armada Hoffler Construction Company, a subsidiary of Armada Hoffler Properties which is a publicly traded company on the NYSE. He began his career with Armada Hoffler in 1987 and held various positions prior to becoming President of Goodman Segar Hogan Hoffler Construction (a subsidiary of Armada Hoffler) in 1997. Due to his wide range of experience in management, he was appointed President of Armada Hoffler Construction in 2000. He is responsible for the overall management, strategic growth and financial health of the Company.
Mr. Apperson was a member of the Board of Trustees at Cape Henry Collegiate from 2014-2018. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Bank @lantec from 2007-2016 serving as its chairman from 2010-2016. He now sits on the Virginia Advisory Board of Dollar Bank, which acquired Bank @lantec in 2016.
Eric and his wife, Lynn, live in Virginia Beach and have two children, Brooks, a 2018 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and Virginia, a 2020 graduate of Santa Clara University in California.
Mr. David A. Arias '84
Retired, President of Swimways Corporation, Virginia Beach, VA
David Arias is the former President and majority owner of Swimways Corporation. Swimways designs, manufactures and distributes toys, games, and sporting goods for the pool, beach, and backyard. Based in Virginia Beach, Swimways products are sold through retail accounts around the world. Swimways maintained a compounded annual growth rate of over 12% for 24 years. Swimways was recognized as vendor of the year by Toys R US, Walmart and 3 times in 8 years by Target Stores. The company also received the 2016 Operation Smile Global Corporate Humanitarian award. Over the years, Swimways was recognized several times as one of the best places to work in Hampton Roads, Virginia and in Virginia by Virginia Business magazine. In 2016, Swimways was sold to a Canadian public company.
David and his wife Valerie have started a new company, Pull Start Fire. Pull Start Fire manufactures and sells an innovative way to start a campfire in 5 seconds.
David is the former Rector of the Eastern Virginia Medical School Board of Visitors and the former Board Chair of the United Way of South Hampton Roads. He is serving or has served on the boards of United Way, the Virginia Aquarium, Heritage Bank, Saint Margaret’s School, the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges, and the Hampton Roads Regional Advisory Board of Southern Bank. Professionally, he is a member of the Young President’s Organization and the Toy Industry Association.
David holds a BA in Economics and Spanish from Hampden-Sydney College and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He and his wife, Valerie, have three children.
J. Trevor Boyce '83
Chairman and CEO of Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Poquoson, VA
Mr. J. Trevor Boyce is currently President, CEO and Chairman of Microbac Laboratories Inc. headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has worked his entire 33 year career at Microbac overseeing the company's tenfold growth during this time. Much of the company's growth has been due to acquisitions spearheaded by Boyce and is often asked to give lectures on mergers and acquisitions. Today Microbac stands as the largest privately held commercial laboratory group in the United States.Mr. Boyce is a past Chairman of the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation as well as a past Chairman of the American Council of Independent Laboratories. Boyce is a pilot with a multi engine instrument commercial rating, has surfed all over the world, was a high school football coach for ten years and runs every day with his wife, Jeannie.
Orran L. Brown, Sr. '78
Founding Partner and Chairman of BrownGreer PLC, Richmond, VA
Mr. Brown went from Hampden-Sydney to Harvard Law School, after which he served as the law clerk to the Hon. Robert R. Merhige, Jr., a United States District Judge in Richmond, Virginia. After four years of practice in Houston, Texas, he returned to Richmond and practiced litigation until he became a specialist in the design and operation of claims facilities for the resolution of multiple claims arising from use of a product or injury-causing event. He and his business partner founded BrownGreer PLC in 2002, where he is Chairman and Senior Partner. Mr. Brown and his firm have played crucial roles in the most significant claims programs in history, including those relating to the Dalkon Shield, "phen-fen" diet drugs, the BP oil spill, Vioxx, ASR hip replacement and the NFL concussion settlement. He has four children. He and his wife, Ellen, an author, live in Richmond.
Robert K. Citrone '87
Founder of Discovery Capital Management, LLC, Southport, CT
Robert Citrone has been advising and managing portfolios focused on global and emerging market investments since 1990. He is the portfolio manager for the Discovery fund structures - currently, Discovery Global Opportunity Funds, Discovery Global Citizens Funds, Discovery Global Focus Funds, and Discovery Global Macro Funds (the "Funds"). Mr. Citrone is the founder, managing member and sole principal of Discovery Capital Management, LLC, which was formed in 1999 and serves as the investment manager or investment adviser for the Funds and a separately managed account.
Mr. Citrone joined Tiger Management as a managing director in 1995 to head global emerging market investments. He was responsible for strategic investment recommendations on currencies, fixed income and equities. Mr. Citrone had also been a member of Tiger Management's macro team since its inception until his departure from Tiger Management in 1999.
Mr. Citrone began his career in 1990 at Fidelity Investments, where he built and ran the Emerging Market Fixed Income and Currency Group. The Emerging Market Fixed Income and Currency Group grew under his management to over $7 billion in assets. He served as the group's director and head of research and was also fund manager for a number of emerging market mutual funds and sub-portfolios.
Prior to business school, Mr. Citrone worked in the fixed income trading group at First Boston, specializing in emerging market credit research.
Mr. Citrone holds an M.B.A. from the Darden School at the University of Virginia where he graduated as a Shermet Scholar (top 10 in his class). Mr. Citrone has an undergraduate degree in Honors Math and Economics from Hampden-Sydney College. Mr. Citrone graduated valedictorian of both his classes in High School and College.
John E. Corey '80
CEO and principal shareholder of CSC Leasing, Richmond, VA
As CEO and principal shareholder of CSC Leasing, John’s entrepreneurial leadership and experience has kept CSC on the path of growth and success for more than 30 years. He became President of CSC Leasing in 1990 after a successful sales career at IBM Corporation and then CCA Financial, Inc. Mr. Corey has led CSC from its roots as a regional IT equipment lessor to a diversified lessor of high technology equipment used in information processing, biotechnology, consumer products manufacturing and materials handling. CSC’s assets are approaching $300 million worldwide, with offices in Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, and Richmond.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College. His graduate studies include courses in computer, programing, finance and business law at both Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business.
Born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, John is very active with his family of four children, two grandsons, two step daughters and in his community. His primary interests involve supporting education, particularly underprivileged children and those with a range of mental and physical disabilities. He also supports—and advocates for—addiction and recovery programs for young adults.
He currently serves on the following boards: The Commonwealth Club, Richmond, VA, CSC Leasing Company, Richmond, and Mission Gate, Richmond. Former Boards and Associations he has served are The Massey Cancer Center of MCV Hospital, Richmond, Sacred Heart Center, Richmond, Northstar Academy, Richmond, and First Presbyterian Church, Richmond.
He is married to Page Evans of Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC.
Thomas C. G. Coyle, Jr. '79
Partner, Childress Klein, Charlotte, NC
Tom Coyle is a Partner in the Charlotte Office Division of Childress Klein, a privately held, full-service commercial real estate development company. Tom’s division concentrates on the development, leasing and management of high quality, corporate office buildings, both urban and suburban, throughout the Carolinas. Tom served as head of the division for twenty-four years before stepping down in 2016. He also helped found CK’s multi-family division in 2011. After thirty-six years at CK, he will retire in 2022.
Active in education, Tom serves on the board for Childcare Resources, Inc., whose mission is to work with families and communities to ensure that all children have access to high quality, affordable early learning opportunities, and is a member of the Visiting Committee at the West Virginia University College of Law. He also remains active at Brookstone Schools of Mecklenburg County where he served on the board for eight years. Brookstone is a non-profit, K-8 school located in uptown Charlotte that currently serves over 200 under-resourced children. The school’s mission is to help break the cycle of poverty by providing students with a strong educational and spiritual foundation.
Tom was born in Charleston, West Virginia and earned a B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College in 1979 and a J.D. from West Virginia University in 1982. He has been with Childress Klein since founded in 1988. Before that he practiced law with Spilman Thomas & Battle in Charleston. Tom is married to Jane T. Coyle and has three children and four grandchildren.
Richard F. Cralle III
President of Green Front Furniture, Farmville, VA
Den Cralle is the President of Green Front Furniture, one of the premier purveyors of fine furniture, rugs, and home décor on the East Coast. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University after graduating from Woodberry Forest School in 2009.Mr. Cralle follows in the footsteps of his father, Richard "Dickie" Cralle, who was instrumental in the leadership and growth of the Farmville-based company. Today, Den Cralle spends his time deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of the fifty-year-old business, modernizing and streamlining operations, utilizing social media platforms for marketing, and conducting buying trips overseas while continuing to strengthen ties with the local Farmville community. He serves on the board of Farmville Downtown Partnership. In his free time, Cralle enjoys traveling and honing his photography skills.
George S. Dewey IV '94
President and CEO of Aston Properties, Charlotte, NC
George, a 1994 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, is the President/CEO of Aston Properties, where he is responsible for overseeing the firm's operations including property acquisitions and property developments. George currently serves on Charlotte Country Day School Board of Trustees, the Levine Children's Hospital Board of Ambassadors, and the Board of Directors for the John M. Belk Endowment. He lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife, Meg, a 1992 graduate of Mary Baldwin College, and their two children, Alex (18) and Steele (16).
Leanna C. Everett
Retired, American Realty Title Assurance Company, Stuart, FL and Marysville, OH
Leanna retired in 1996 from American Realty Title Assurance Company where she was an underwriter, title officer, closer and Branch Manager. Her responsibilities included the profitable operation of her branch office, successfully orchestrating the closing of real estate transactions, and developing a client base of builders, realtors and lenders.
Since moving to Florida in 2000, Leanna has served as President of the Sailfish Point Real Estate Corporation and Vice President of the Sailfish Point Golf Board as well as several other boards and committees.
Leanna and her husband, Lewis ’63, were the primary benefactors in the building of the Lewis C. Everett Stadium in 2007. Leanna is a very organized and efficient individual who prides herself on being able to manage many tasks at one time. She truly cares about Hampden-Sydney College and believes by becoming involved, she can make a positive impact.
H. Todd Flemming '85
Chairman of Infrasafe, Orlando, FL
As Infrasafe's Chairman, Mr. Flemming directs the strategic direction of Infrasafe's three subsidiary companies: Advantor Systems, Veristream and Infrasafe Security International including all product development, operations and technology activities. In addition, Mr. Flemming serves as the Chairman of the Friends of Adam Smith and is also a member of the executive advisory board of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. Mr. Flemming has over twenty-five years of broad-based management experience in the security industry, including business start-up, design, marketing, strategy, research, development, and manufacturing. Mr. Flemming holds Bachelor of Science degrees majoring in Economics and Biology from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and a Masters of Business Administration from Duke University (Fuqua School of Business) in Durham, North Carolina.
Salvatore Giannetti III '86
Partner of PennantPark, Houston, TX
Mr. Giannetti has been a Partner of PennantPark Investment Advisers since 2007, where he focuses on originating, structuring and managing investments. Mr. Giannetti has worked in the investment banking, syndicated loan, credit, workout and private equity fields. Mr. Giannetti started his career at Chase Securities Inc. and its predecessor firms, Chemical Securities Ltd. and Manufacturers Hanover Corporation. He was also a Managing Director at Banker's Trust Company/Deutsche Bank USA and UBS Investment Bank. Mr. Giannetti serves on the board of directors of ETX Energy, RAM Energy, PAS Technologies, American Gilsonite Company and EnviroSolutions. Previously, he served on the board of directors of New Gulf Resources and Universal Pegasus International. Mr. Giannetti resides in Houston, Texas and holds a BA from Hampden-Sydney College and an MBA from The Mason School at The College of William & Mary.
M. Peebles Harrison '89, Chairman of the Board
Attorney and Partner of Rose, Harrison, & Gilreath, P.C., Kill Devil Hills, NC
After majoring in history and economics, Mr. Harrison graduated Hampden-Sydney summa cum laude in 1989. He then attended The Washington and Lee University School of Law. After graduation, Peebles worked as an associate in the employment and labor section at William Mullen Christian and Dobbins, a law firm in Richmond, Virginia. In 1995, he and his wife, Avery, moved to the Outer Banks, where he joined up with an old family friend to form the law firm of Rose Harrison & Gilreath, P.C.Mr. Harrison has previously served as Senior Warden of the Vestry for St. Andrew's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church; Chair, Board of Directors, Outer Banks Family YMCA; and Past-President of the Dare County Jaycees, where he was recognized with the Charles Hawkins Award as one of the top ten chapter Presidents in North Carolina. He has also served as a Director, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce; Member, Outer Banks Hospital Development Council; and Member, Law Council, The Washington and Lee School of Law.
Dr. Eugene W. Hickok '72
Richmond, VA
Gene received his M.A.P.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. For many years he was a professor of political science and law at Dickinson College and The Dickinson School of Law, both in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
An award-winning teacher, he is the author/editor of several books and articles. His commentary has appeared on the pages of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Chronicle of Higher Education, and the Richmond Times Dispatch. He served in the U.S. Department of Justice, office of legal counsel, during the Reagan Administration. He served for six years as Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education under Governor Tom Ridge. He served as Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education under President George W. Bush. Gene and his wife, Kathy, live in the city where they grew up and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Maurice A. Jones '86
CEO, OneTen, Norfolk, VA
Maurice A. Jones was appointed CEO of OneTen in March of 2021. OneTen is a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire, and promote one million Black Americans over the next 10 years who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. Prior to joining OneTen, Maurice was the President of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the country's largest organizations supporting projects to revitalize communities and catalyze economic opportunity for residents.
During his time at LISC, Maurice led the company’s effort to expand its footprint into the southern part of the country. He grew the company’s annual investment from a billion dollars to over two billion dollars. He also increased the economic development investments of LISC throughout the country, including launching a subsidiary company dedicated to small business lending. During his tenure, LISC diversified its partnerships with multiple industries, including healthcare, technology, sports, retail and advanced manufacturing.
He previously served as Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia where his primary job was to utilize Virginia’s assets to solidify its position as the preeminent place to live, work and conduct business.
Maurice also served as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from April 2012 through January 2014. As the second most senior official at HUD, Maurice managed the Department's day-to-day operations, the annual operating budget of $40 billion and the agency's 8,900 employees.
Before his appointment at HUD, Maurice was President of Pilot Media, the largest print and digital organization in Hampton Roads, Virginia. He joined Landmark Media Enterprises, owner of Pilot Media, in 2005, serving as Vice President of the Landmark Publishing Group. In 2006, he became the Vice President and General Manager of Pilot Media, and in 2008 he became President and Publisher of The Virginian-Pilot.
Maurice was also the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services and Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner. Other positions include: Special Assistant to the General Counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department, Legal Counsel to the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and Director of the Fund during the Clinton Administration, Associate Attorney at Hunton & Williams in Richmond, Virginia, and Partner at Venture Philanthropy Partners.
Maurice received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College and attended Oxford University in England on a Rhodes Scholarship, where he received a Master of Philosophy in International Relations. He later received a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia.
Mr. Michael P. Kehoe '88
Founder and CEO of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc., Richmond, VA
Michael Kehoe is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. – a publicly traded company on NYSE listed under the symbol KNSL. Kinsale began operations in March 2010 and writes specialty commercial and personal insurance in 50 states and the District of Columbia. The company is rated A (Excellent) X by AM Best Company and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
Prior to starting Kinsale, Mr. Kehoe was Chief Executive Officer of James River Insurance Company from its founding as a development stage company back in November 2002 until March 2008.
Mr. Kehoe earned a B.A. in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law. He has been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 1993.
He is married to Bevin J. Kehoe and they have four children – Thomas, Mary, Claire and Daniel. They live in Richmond, VA.
John W. Kirk III '72
Chairman of Associated Asphalt, Roanoke, VA
Mr. Kirk is the Chairman of Associated Asphalt overseeing their operations throughout the Eastern United States. Associated Asphalt is one of the largest providers of liquid asphalt to the paving industry in the United States. He is a 1972 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College.
Keith W. Lewis '78
Retired, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Lutherville, MD
Keith Lewis retired from T. Rowe Price on January 1, 2019 where he was the head of Global Investment Services for the Americas for the Global Investment Management Services division of T. Rowe Price, the organization responsible for the firm's global institutional and ex-U.S. intermediary businesses. He was a member of the Global Investment Management Services Executive Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of T. Rowe Price Canada, Inc., and a vice president of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
Mr. Lewis’ financial services career spanned 40 years, including 32 years with T. Rowe Price. Before joining T. Rowe Price in 1986, Mr. Lewis was a regional vice president with Tenneco Financial Services and also served in several sales management positions with The Travelers Insurance Company.
Mr. Lewis earned a B.A. in economics from Hampden-Sydney College and an M.B.A. from the University of Richmond. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Innisfree Village.
John E. Mansfield, Jr. '78
CEO of Indigo Energy Partners, Gainesville, GA
With over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, John E. Mansfield, Jr. brings vision, hands on experience and a successful track record to Indigo Energy.John began his career at Mansfield Oil Company in 1979 as manager of Pipeline Trading and Wholesale Marketing, headquartered in Houston, Texas. With the addition of Kangaroo Convenience Stores to the company in 1981, John was named President of the 100 store chain that spanned the southeastern United States.As CEO of Onyx Petroleum from 1984 - 2000, John's insight and leadership built the company into a marketer of products covering 48 states, specializing in national fleet accounts, government, utilities, airlines, retailers and EPA compliance.John now serves as CEO of Indigo Energy, part of the Indigo family of companies founded in 2000. As a distributor of petroleum products nationwide, Indigo Energy strives for continued excellence in customer service, competitive pricing and innovative technology.
Ann Louise Martin
Retired, Richmond, VA
Louise graduated from the University of Miami Business School with a Business Management degree and retired from Delta Air Lines as a technical writer. She currently serves on the Boards of VPM (Virginia Public Media – PBS), GlobalWorx Technology, and RISE (a Mexican children’s refuge). Louise married David Nathan Martin ’52 who was a Hampden-Sydney Kappa Sigma, former Trustee, and founder of the Martin Agency in Richmond, Virginia.
After his retirement, David Martin became involved with Hampden-Sydney through a leadership program for freshmen students, which Louise now financially supports in his name. It has now become a 4-year program and a great enhancement to the H-S curriculum. She was an active member of the Wilson Center Advisory Committee and recently created the David and Louise Martin Endowment, which she hopes will ensure H-S continues to attract the brightest students possible.
Thomas L. Melton '06
Executive Vice President of Pritchard Industries, Inc., New York, NY
Over the past 10 years Tom Melton has led business transformation initiatives and merger and acquisition strategies for a diverse group of companies and private equity firms. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Pritchard Industries, Inc., a NY-based facility services provider backed by A&M Capital Partners. Tom began his career in investment banking at Wachovia and Lazard, and prior to his time at Pritchard Industries, he led the water investment strategy at Encourage Capital and facilitated new investments and managed portfolio companies at American Capital.
Tom earned his M.B.A. from Yale University, his B.A. in Economics and Commerce from Hampden-Sydney College, and he completed the General Course program at the London School of Economics.
Tom was born and raised in Bedford, VA (his late father, Jim, was H-SC Class of 1975), and he now resides in New York City with his wife, Saara, and their daughter, Eden. Tom is also a founding director of Tumaini, Inc., a non- profit organization focused on secondary education in east Africa
Bartow Morgan, Jr. '94
CEO and board member of Georgia Banking Company, Lawrenceville, GA
Bartow is currently CEO and board member of Georgia Banking Company, Inc. and its subsidiary, Georgia Banking Company. He was previously an Executive and board member of Renasant Bank. Brand merged with Renasant Bank in September of 2018. Bartow was the CEO of Brand Group Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary, BrandBank in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He also served as a board member for both Brand Group Holdings, Inc. & BrandBank. He began his career in 1994 and became CEO in 2002. He currently serves as a founding Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Georgia Gwinnett College, Board Member of Hampden-Sydney College, Buckhead Coalition, American Korean Friendship Society, and Emeritus Trustee of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, and he is a member of the Young President’s Organization, Southern 7 Chapter.
Bartow previously served as Board Member of Georgia Ports Authority and Young President’s Organization- Southern 7 Chapter. He is past Chair of Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and President of Northeast Georgia Community Foundation. He also served as Director of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett County Development Authority, Gwinnett Health System, and Gwinnett Tech Foundation.
Bartow received his B. A. degree in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in 1994. He is also a graduate from Leadership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Regional Leadership Institute.
A past President of The Rotary Club of Gwinnett, The 1818 Club and The Nine O’Clocks, Bartow presently serves as a board member of Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation and is a member of The Atlanta Rotary Club and Board of Councilors of The Carter Center. He was recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as one of Georgia’s top “40 Under 40”.
BrandBank is a recipient of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Cox Family Enterprise Center award honoring Georgia family businesses.
Bartow was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He is married to the former Leslie McPhail of Cooperstown, New York; they have two sons, Bartow, III and Everett.
Erik K. Morgan
Senior Partner, Freestone Capital, Issaquah, WA
Working at Freestone for over twenty years, Erik has provided investment and financial advice to some of the Northwest's most successful entrepreneurs and corporate executives. In addition to working with the clients, Erik served as President of the firm from 2006 through 2020 helping grow the business to more than $6B in managed assets. During this time the firm developed capabilities in Real Estate, Private Equity, Private Debt and Structured Credit in addition to traditional strategies. Currently he serves on the investment committee and is a member of the firm's Board of Directors. Erik joined Freestone after working at Arthur Andersen where he attained the title of Senior Manager within the Private Client Services (PCS) group. At Andersen, he was responsible for the launch and growth of the firm's Investment Advisory Services practice in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Northern California. In that capacity, Erik worked with affluent clients to build and implement diversified investment portfolios and coordinated wealth management plans. Prior to his time at Arthur Andersen, he was with The Rainier Group in Seattle where he focused on investment management and estate planning.
Erik has been recognized by Barron's as the top Financial Advisor in Washington State from 2013-2015 and from 2017-2020. Barron's also ranked Erik as one of the top 100 Independent Financial Advisors in the country from 2010-2020.
Erik served on the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance Committee for Eastside Catholic School and was active in YPO from 2006-2019.
Though Erik was born in Seattle, he attended High School in Eastern Ontario, Canada, and returned to Washington in 1987. Erik earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Washington State University and started his career in 1991.
Erik resides in Issaquah, Washington with his wife, Tracy, and has three sons; Jack, Nick, and Matt.
John Neuner IV '97
Managing Director and Co-Head of M&A at Harris Williams, Richmond, VA
John Neuner is a Managing Director and Co-Head of M&A at Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services. As co-head of M&A, he works across Industry Groups to advance the firm’s strategic priorities and deepen client relationships. In addition, Mr. Neuner heads the Consumer Group at Harris Williams, which advises clients across a broad range of branded consumer products; consumer services; food, beverage and agribusiness; and restaurant and retail. Prior to joining Harris Williams in 2000, he worked in the Leveraged Finance Group at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo).
Mr. Neuner is a 1997 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College with a B.A. in Economics. During his time at Hampden-Sydney, he was a two-sport athlete as part of the Basketball and Cross Country teams. He lives in Richmond, VA with his wife, Corbin, and their two sons, Will (17) and Rhodes (14).
Jon A. Pace '82
Managing Director of Aon Strategy & Technology Group, Atlanta, GA
Jon & his wife Elen (Longwood University, Class of 1985) live in Atlanta, GA, and are the parents of Claire, University of Georgia, Class of 2016 (Go Dawgs!) & Jack, Hampden- Sydney Class of 2018 (Go Tigers!). Jon is Managing Director of Aon’s Strategy & Technology Group, an Aon company dedicated to delivering value, insight and innovation through data, analytic and consultancy services to insurers, reinsurers and third parties in the global insurance ecosystem. Jon is responsible for the health segment within Aon’s STG business.
Jon also serves on the Board of EZ Choice, a New York-based labor relations firm, and on the Advisory Board of Dietrich Partners, an Atlanta-based new business incubator.
Jon holds a BA in Philosophy & Religion from Hampden- Sydney and an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Rodney C. Pitts
Chairman, Southern Elevator Group, Inc., Charlotte, NC
Mr. Pitts purchased Southern Elevator in 1991, elevating the Company to the leading Regional Elevator Company in the Carolinas and Virginia, providing service, repair, and modernization of all makes and models of elevators.
Prior to moving back to Charlotte and purchasing Southern Elevator, Mr. Pitts gained a wealth of experience at the private equity firm, AEA Investors in New York.
He has degrees from Duke University, the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and the University of Louvain in Belgium.
He has served as Board Member and/or President of the Charlotte Economics Club, Charlotte Country Day School, Duke University Alumni Association, and Duke University Board. Mr. Pitts currently serves on the Federal Reserve Industrial Council for the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank. He is currently on the Board of the John Locke Foundation and on the Investment Committee of Charlotte Country Day School.
Rodney and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children, Betsy Bryan and Carson ’15.
Rodney P. Ruffin ‘82
Vice-President of Business Development of Thompson Hospitality, Herndon, VA
Rodney Ruffin is Vice-President of Business Development for Thompson Hospitality. He oversees business development and contract review and acquisition matters, as well as supplier diversity matters. He has previously served as Sr. Director, External Affairs for the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (“Amtrak”). Prior to that, he worked for law firms in Atlanta, Baltimore, and D.C., where he had a commercial litigation practice.
Rodney earned a B.A in English from Hampden-Sydney College in 1982, as well as a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1985. He and his wife, Dawn, live in Herndon, VA and are the parents of two daughters, Alaina and Alexandra.
Mr. Ivan A. Schlager
International Trade and National Security Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Washington, D.C.
Ivan Schlager is an international trade and national security partner in Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Ivan provides counsel on structuring, negotiating, and documenting transactions to address regulatory issues, including approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). He represents a diverse group of clients ranging from defense companies, major telecommunications providers, and media and technology companies to private equity firms and companies in the financial services, energy, manufacturing, and health care industries.
Ivan has significant experience navigating national security reviews and negotiating complex mitigation agreements. He has developed innovative structures to address national security issues in some of the largest and most complex cross-border transactions. He also assists clients with industrial security (including mitigation of foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI)), international trade, export control, and government contracting issues, as well as congressional investigations and other matters involving government relations and investigations. In 2021 and 2022, Chambers Global also assigned Ivan a Band 1 rating in International Trade: CFIUS Experts (USA).
Before joining Kirkland, Ivan was a partner and head of the national security practice and served on the Policy Committee at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. His prior experience includes serving as the chief counsel and staff director to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, where he supervised subcommittee professional staff and devised legislative strategy.
Ivan has repeatedly been recognized as a leading lawyer in his field. According to peers and clients, “he acts across a range of industries,” earning recognition as a “thoughtful, connected, calm and authoritative” practitioner. In 2016, Ivan was honored as the Transatlantic Lawyer of the Year: Regulatory at the second annual American Lawyer Transatlantic Legal Awards, which recognizes “the best legal work conducted between the U.S. and Europe.” In 2016 and 2015, he was named as one of Law360’s International Trade MVPs. He also has received a Burton Award for legal writing, one of the highest literary honors in law. Ivan was named by The Washingtonian as a leading lawyer for national security, and is selected for inclusion in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, The Legal 500 U.S., The Best Lawyers in America, and Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America.
John Claiborne Sifford '94
Founder and CEO of LASSO, Nashville, TN
Clay Sifford is currently Founder and CEO of LASSO, a privately held, early stage workflow software (SaaS) for companies that employ a contingent, non-desk, project-based workforce. LASSO is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with an office in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prior to LASSO, Mr. Sifford was Founder and CEO of OVATION, a privately held, technology enabled company that delivers end-to-end creative strategy and solutions for complex live events all over the world. OVATION is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with an office in Boston, Massachusetts.
Mr. Sifford is a past board member of the Llwala Community Alliance (Kenya), and is an active member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), where he has served in numerous positions over the years. He currently serves as Co-Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization - London Business School Program for fast growing companies.
He and his wife (Dorothy) live in Nashville, with their three children, Claiborne, Alexander and Caroline. He enjoys running, biking, fishing, snowboarding, and skiing.
Linda Whitley-Taylor
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Change Healthcare, Nashville, TN
Ms. Whitley-Taylor is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer of Change Healthcare. Formerly, Ms. Whitley-Taylor was Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer for Amerigroup Corporation. Prior to Amerigroup, Ms. Whitley-Taylor was Senior Vice President of Human Resources Operations for Genworth Financial/formally GE Financial Assurance where she held roles in Human Resources, Operations and Six Sigma. Prior to Genworth Financial, Ms. Whitley-Taylor spent 15 years with GE in a variety of roles and locations, including operations, quality, training and development, and Human resources, including assignments in Bangkok, Thailand and Tokyo, Japan. She has significant experience in talent development and people strategy initiatives and is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
Ms. Whitley-Taylor has a B.A. in Psychology from Radford University. Her volunteer work includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville and formerly as Rector of the Board of Visitors at Radford University. She has earned recognition as a Top Woman in Business for Hampton Roads, Virginia and has been named among the Most Influential Women in Virginia. Most recently she was named to Female Health IT Leaders to Know.
Ms. Whitley-Taylor and her husband, David Taylor, reside in Nashville, TN. They are the proud parents to a Hampden-Sydney student, Harrison, Class of 2023, and daughter, Whitley, a 2020 graduate of College of Charleston.
Mark T. Wright '89
CEO of Fizz, Atlanta, GA
At Hampden-Sydney, Ted lived in Cushing then the Colonnades, never missed a class, joined a fraternity, became rush chairman, loved Heineman, Simms, Lane and Marion while finding Arieti simultaneously annoying and funny. Ted also consumed too much cereal in the Commons and dated way above his station at Sweet Briar and Hollins.
Since Hampden-Sydney, Ted worked at Booze Allen & Hamilton, read Maths at Cambridge, helped get five Republican women get elected in to the U.S. Senate, graduated from the University of Chicago’s business school with honors, wrote a best-selling book and, in 2001, boot strapped an idea into the global marketing firm called “Fizz” at which he still works. Fizz’s clients include Allstate, Molson-Coors, 2Chainz, AT&T, Kevin Hart, Tommy John, Burrow Sofas, jetBlue and Sugarland.
For fun Ted likes to play video games with his son, watch great soccer, collect outsider art and rebuild the occasional late 70’s Porsche. Ted is married to Christina Spada (Sweet Briar ’89) whom he met after a 1987 Guadalcanal Diary concert at H-SC. Their son, Abbott, is now 15 and always an adventure.